BURFORDVILLE COUPLE'S SON WORKS TO KEEP THE PEACE IN BOSNIA

At Observation Post Nine, in the northern area of the American Sector, Bosnia, an American soldier pulls guard duty atop a former Bosnian home. During the civil war here, this particular area -- including this home -- was barraged with artillery fire that totally destroyed the neighborhood.

At Checkpoint Charlie -- a highly regulated and guarded Bosnian crossroad location -- a local woman passing through the checkpoint greets an American soldier. Bosnians are free to pass through such IFOR checkpoints, but may be required to show identification or may have their vehicle searched.

In an abandoned Sarajevo neighborhood, a U.S. Army soldier walks by cars and apartment buildings riddled with bullet holes while surveying the extensive damage of the area.

AMERICAN SECTOR, Bosnia-Herzegovina -- Quaint European-styled brick homes with chickens roaming the yard and laundry flapping on the line abound in the hills and mountains here. Only yards away from this postcard setting, visions of what hell must look like can be seen, where homes have been leveled -- only shells of their once stately grandeur.

The son of a Burfordville couple has experienced this place first hand. Army Spec. Brian D. Pickard, son of Donald O. and Phyllis J. Pickard of 2968 Highway 34, Burfordville, is doing his part to help maintain peace in Bosnia.

And although the war there is for the time being over, he carries a gun and ammunition.

A horse-drawn wagon loaded with wood passes million dollar, high-tech tracked American Army fighting vehicles equipped with mounted machine guns. For the children here, the American soldier convoys are a symbol -- representing a chance to play outside and be a child again.

Just outside his fortified camp, neighboring Bosnians peacefully wander through the city looking to buy food for the day or find needed supplies. Sandbagged bunkers and sharp concertina wire surround his daily environment as he wears a protective helmet and body armor.

Pickard and nearly 20,000 American soldiers are there to help maintain peace -- something this country hasn't seen for years. Based on ethnic and religious differences, a totally devastating civil war tore this country, and its people, apart. With the efforts of the American and multi-national forces known as IFOR, the Implementation Force, Bosnians are slowly piecing back together their homes and way of life.

"As a utilities equipment repairman, I'm responsible for the daily maintenance and upkeep of the environmental control units. I also have additional duties such as mail clerk, medic, access control monitor and I also assist the first sergeant," Pickard said.

American soldiers spend the majority of their military careers preparing for war or training for war-time situations. Life in Bosnia, though, has many times been different from a typical Army day.

"Life here is good. My days are very hectic and busy, but other than the absence of beer, I enjoy it. This is not my first deployment, and I know it is easier to just accept the conditions you have and accept life there, it makes it a whole lot easier," Pickard said.

Considering the fact that many modern-day conveniences don't exist for these soldiers, life here isn't that bad. With few exceptions, nearly every soldier sleeps in a bed or on a cot, has hot food, and showers as often as necessary. Most camps have portable gyms and workout facilities established in a designated tent or building.

Morale facilities have books to read, Armed Forces television, vending machines with candy and soft drinks and at some facilities amenities such as a ping-pong table.

Even though these camps are fairly well equipped, life here can be as some soldiers say, like "ground hog day" as every day, day after day, is very similar. Nearly everyone here misses something.

"I miss socializing with my friends at my duty station and being able to spend nights out on the town. I also miss my own room with my music, television and my VCR," Pickard said.

Most soldiers, such as Pickard, should be in Bosnia for no more than a year. He has some specific plans when his mission in Bosnia is over and he returns to his regular duty station as a utilities equipment repairman with the 66th Military Intelligence Group in Augsburg, Germany.

"When I get out of here I plan to go and visit my family whom I haven't seen in two years. After that I'm going to come back to Germany and tour Europe, " Pickard said.

The wagons, chickens and children, as well as the hollowed buildings and scenes of destruction here will soon be in the rear-view mirror for soldiers like Pickard. But the memories are likely to last a lifetime.